Monthly Sunshine Research Articles

Evaluation of the energy potential of solar irradiation and wind speed in the Forécariah Prefecture, Guinea

The objective of this study is to assess the energy potential of solar and wind resources in the Forécariah prefecture in Guinea, taking into account average sunshine and wind speeds. The study aims to determine the renewable energy production capacity in order to contribute to the sustainable energy development of the region. The methodology adopted includes the collection of meteorological data over several years (21 years), focusing on solar irradiation and wind speed in the region. Calculation models were used to estimate the possible solar and wind power, as well as the number of wind turbines required. The wind rose was also studied to optimize the orientation of the wind turbines. During this study we obtained several results, the main ones being: maximum monthly sunshine (6.2 W/m²), minimum monthly sunshine (3.9 W/m²), maximum annual sunshine (5.34 W/m²), minimum annual sunshine (5.03 W/m²), maximum monthly average speed (3.8 m/s), minimum monthly average speed (1.8 m/s), maximum annual average speed (3 m/s), minimum annual average speed (2.6 m/s), installed solar power (20 MW), installed wind power (2 MW) with 82 wind turbines and the wind rose indicating the wind direction from the southwest to the northwest. These results show a significant energy potential for the production of electricity from renewable energies in the prefecture of Forécariah, Guinea.

Estimation of monthly sunshine duration using satellite derived cloud data

Sunshine duration (SD) is one of the critical meteorological parameters used in different fields of application such as climate, renewable energy and agriculture. In this respect, determination and/or estimation of the temporal and spatial variability of SD is critical. Meteorological satellite data/products can be used for estimating SD and in constructing their maps due to their frequent observation of large areas at once. In this study, a multilayer perceptron type artificial neural network model was built to estimate the monthly mean SD for Türkiye using the EUMETSAT CM SAF (Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring) CFC (Cloud Fractional Coverage) and CTY (Cloud Type) data, GMTED2010 (Global Multi-resolution Terrain Elevation Data) data, month number and daylength. The datasets of 45 stations, spanning nine years (2005–2013), were used for training the model and 12 stations for testing and validating the simulated values. We have compared the results of our model with the ground-measured values for the whole period under consideration and the root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), mean bias error (MBE) and the coefficient of determination (R2) were found as 0.7803 h, 0.6206 h, 0.1751 h and 0.9387, respectively. It has been shown that using the new generation cloud products such as CFC and CTY, elevation data such as GMTED2010 and daylength, it is possible to predict the SD for regions under the coverage of the satellite, in case no measurement is possible or may be unreliable, without needing any measured meteorological data.

Increasing ratio of opportunistic infections associated with sunshine exposure and economic level burdening Chinese inflammatory bowel disease hospitalized patients: the first nationwide survey from 2014 to 2019

BackgroundThe rising prevalence of opportunistic infections (OIs) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in conjunction with the use of biologics/immunosuppressive agents has garnered attention. However, there is a dearth of research on OIs in Mainland China. This study seeks to evaluate the national ratio trend of OIs in IBD and elucidate the influence of economic and climate factors on IBD patients with OIs and their outcomes.MethodsThe nationwide data was obtained from the Inpatient medical record home page via the Health Statistics and Information Reporting System (HSRS). Patients diagnosed with IBD were enlisted for participation, and their demographic and clinical information, encompassing infection type, surgical procedures, and expenses, were gathered. The National Bureau of Statistics provided data on monthly sunshine exposure hours and yearly Gross Domestic Product (GDP).ResultsFindings indicate that between 2014 and 2019, a total of 381,752 patients with IBD were admitted to hospitals, with 364,249 patients lacking OIs and 17,503 patients presenting with OIs. The annual proportion of OIs exhibited an upward trend, rising from 3.54% in 2014 to 4.81% in 2019. There was a significant correlation observed between individuals who identified as male, those who visited hospitals in southern regions, or those originating from areas with lower GDP or shorter sunshine exposure hours, and a higher incidence of OIs. Among patients diagnosed with either Crohn’s disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC), Clostridium difficile was found to be the most prevalent infection, followed by Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus. Furthermore, the occurrence of OIs was found to be associated with an increased rate of surgical interventions in UC patients.ConclusionsThe rising prevalence of OIs among hospitalized patients with IBD necessitates heightened attention towards mitigating associated risk factors, particularly among IBD patients residing in less developed regions or experiencing limited exposure to sunlight. This approach aims to minimize hospital stays and associated costs.

Temporal Variation of Sunshine Duration and Its Potential Affecting Factors with Emphasis on Saudi Arabia for the Period 1983-2022

The rising trend in fossil fuel prices and the depletion of natural resource reserves in the future force the authority of any country to find a more sustainable option for energy sources, so that future energy demand can be ensured for sustainable development. Assessing the trend and availability of sunshine duration (SD) at a spatiotemporal scale and the effect of different metrological parameters on the SD change is crucial to ensure the efficient utilization of solar energy, support the growth of renewable energy systems, and contribute to a sustainable future. In Saudi Arabia, The average monthly SD is 283 ± 18 hm-1, and there was a rising trend of SD that increased at a rate of 1.48 hy-1 with a 95% confidence level. Most of the regions experienced an annual mean of SD between 3375 and 3754 hy-1, except for the southwest and the middle-eastern part where SD was between 3072 and 3375 hours in a year. The highest mean monthly SD was 318 ± 39 hm-1 during the summer season, but the trend of SD changes over the years was downward ( -0.21 hy-1). The mean monthly SD was lowest (244 ± 38 hm-1) in the winter season, and the changing pattern of SD was on the rise at a rate of 0.26 hy-1 with a 95% confidence level. There was a decline in SD across the country between 1983 and 1998, whereas from 2000 onward the country experienced an upward trend in SD. Relative humidity (R = -0.53, p < 0.01) and cloud cover (R = -0.42, p < 0.05) as potential factors have a strong negative correlation with SD, whereas wind speed (R = 0.06, p > 0.1) and temperature (R = 0.12, p > 0.1) have a positive correlation with SD in the region.

Calibration of the Ångström–Prescott Model for Accurately Estimating Solar Radiation Spatial Distribution in Areas with Few Global Solar Radiation Stations: A Case Study of the China Tropical Zone

The Ångström–Prescott formula is commonly used in climatological calculation methods of solar radiation simulation. Aiming at the characteristics of a vast area, few meteorological stations, and uneven distribution in the tropical regions of China, in order to obtain the optimal parameters of the global solar radiation calculation model, this study proposes a suitable monthly global solar radiation model based on the single-station approach and the between-groups linkage of the A–P model, which utilizes monthly measured meteorological data from 80 meteorological stations spanning the period from 1996 to 2016 in the tropical zone of China, considering the similarity in changes of monthly sunshine percentage between stations. The applicability and accuracy of the correction parameters (a and b coefficients) were tested and evaluated, and then the modified parameters were extended to conventional meteorological stations through Thiessen polygons. Finally, the spatial distribution of solar radiation in the tropical region of China was simulated by kriging, IDW, and spline interpolation techniques. The results show the following: (1) The single-station model exhibited the highest accuracy in simulating the average annual global solar radiation, followed by the model based on the between-groups linkage. After optimizing the a and b coefficients, the simulation accuracy of the average annual global solar radiation increased by 5.3%, 8.1%, and 4.4% for the whole year, dry season, and wet season, respectively. (2) Through cross-validation, the most suitable spatial interpolation methods for the whole year, dry season, and wet season in the tropical zone of China were IDW, Kriging, and Spline, respectively. This research has positive implications for improving the accuracy of solar radiation prediction and guiding regional agricultural production.

Influence of meteorological factors on the quantitative following relationship between Empoasca onukii Matsuda (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and its natural enemies in tea plantations

AbstractOur aim was to study the close relationship between the number of Empoasca onukii and its natural enemies in tea plantations to provide a scientific basis for the control of E. onukii. The relationship between the number of E. onukii and its main natural enemies in tea plantations in Hefei, China, were compared by gray relational analysis, and then the relationships between seven meteorological factors and the populations of E. onukii were analyzed by the method of path analysis. The results showed that among the top six natural enemies most closely related to the population of E. onukii, two natural enemies were the same in the three years of study and four natural enemies were the same in any two years of the study, and that the natural enemy species closely related to the population of E. onukii varied greatly among years. The direct effect of monthly average relative humidity was the greatest effect in 2020 and the direct effect of monthly average temperature was the greatest effect in 2021, with both being negative in terms of their effect on the population size of E. onukii. The direct effect of the number of days of rainfall was the greatest effect in both 2021 and 2022, and the indirect effect of monthly sunshine hours through rainfall days was the greatest effect on the population of E. onukii. The highest temperatures in early and mid‐August 2022 were higher than in previous years, which had an impact on the growth and development of subsequent E. onukii.

Vitamin D status among residents of Molidawa Daur Autonomous Banner, Inner Mongolia, North China.

To retrospectively analyze the vitamin D (VD) status of residents in northeastern Inner Mongolia and its relationship with the average monthly sunshine hours. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D[s-25(OH)D] samples from 4982 outpatients (2092 males) in Moli Dawa Daur Autonomous Banner People's Hospital, Hulunbuir, China from July 2018 to January 2022 were included in this study. The overall median s-25(OH)D was 53.3 nmol/L, VD deficiency (<30 nmol/L), deficiency (30-50 nmol/L), sufficient (>50-250 nmol/L) and excess (>250 nmol/L) were 16% (796/4982), 30% (1495/4982), 53.4% (2658/4982) and 0.7% (33/4982). There were statistically significant differences in median s-25(OH)D by month, age-groups and gender (p<0.001). Low VD status (LVDS, including VD deficiency and insufficiency) in females was 54.6% and males was 33.9%, and the LVDS composition differed significantly by age-group and month (p<0.05). The changing trend of the median s-25(OH)D level was similar to the monthly average sunshine hours, with a slight lag. Nearly half of residents live in LVDS. LVDS is affected by month, gender, and age.

Spatiotemporal dynamics and environmental determinants of scrub typhus in Anhui Province, China, 2010–2020

This study aims to describe the epidemiological characteristics of scrub typhus, detect the spatio-temporal patterns of scrub typhus at county level, and explore the associations between the environmental variables and scrub typhus cases in Anhui Province. Time-series analysis, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and space–time scan statistics were used to explore the characteristics and spatiotemporal patterns of the scrub typhus in Anhui Province. Negative binomial regression analysis was used to explore the association between scrub typhus and environmental variables. A total of 16,568 clinically diagnosed and laboratory-confirmed cases were reported from 104 counties of 16 prefecture-level cities. The number of female cases was higher than male cases, with a proportion of 1.32:1. And the proportion of cases over 65 years old was the highest, accounting for 33.8% of the total cases. Two primary and five secondary high-risk clusters were detected in the northwestern, northeastern, and central-eastern parts of Anhui Province. The number of cases in primary and secondary high-risk clusters accounted for 60.27% and 3.00%, respectively. Scrub typhus incidence in Anhui Province was positively correlated with the population density, normalized difference vegetation index, and several meteorological variables. The mean monthly sunshine duration with 3 lags (SSD_lag3), mean monthly ground surface temperature with 1 lag (GST_lag1), and mean monthly relative humidity with 3 lags (RHU_lag3) had the most significant association with increased cases of scrub typhus. Our findings indicate that public health interventions need to be focused on the elderly farmers in north of the Huai River in Anhui Province.

АНАЛИЗ ЗАСУХ С ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕМ МЕТОДА TOPSIS НА ОСНОВЕ ЭНТРОПИЙНОГО ВЕСА (НА ПРИМЕРЕ СТАНЦИИ КАРС, ТУРЦИЯ)

The aim of this study is to conduct a drought analysis at Kars station in the northeast of Turkey using six different meteorological parameters by utilizing The Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method based on the entropy weight method. As of the input parameters of the study, the mean monthly rainfall, mean monthly maximum and minimum temperature, mean monthly relative humidity, mean monthly wind speed, mean monthly sunshine duration, obtained by the Kars meteorology station for 1990 and 2018 period are used. In the second section of the study, Mann-Kendall trend analysis was applied to TOPSIS results. The findings of this study indicated that the drought tends to increase in January, May and October. In the final section of the study, multivariate regression analysis, which accepts six different parameters as independent variables and TOPSIS drought index results as dependent variables, was performed. According to the findings of this study, there were no cases of extreme wet, severe wet, medium wet, severe drought and extreme drought at the Kars station. The driest months are May and June. The wettest months are March and November.

Effect of climate change to solar energy potential: a case study in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey.

Architects, hydrologists, agriculturists, and solar engineers require the data of solar radiation for solar technologies such as solar drying, cooking, heating, and building illuminations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of climate change on the potential of solar energy in theEastern Anatolia Region (EAR) of Turkey. The global warming problem causedby greenhouse gases is increasing due to the increase in the use of fossil origin fuels in our world, and climate change iscoming out. In this content, the values of monthly sunshine duration and globalsolar radiation are provided by the Meteorological Service in Turkish for the EAR of Turkey in the periods between 1987 and 2010. Thus, in a period of 24 years, it is investigated how much change took place in meteorological data. These changes are examined in the two different periods. In conclusion, it is observed that important changes occur in some meteorological data. The highest decrease in the variation amount of yearly average global solar radiation is seen in Erzurum, while the highest increase is seen in Erzincan. The highest increase in the variation amount of yearly average sunshine duration is seen in Erzincan, while the highest decrease is seen in Bitlis. In addition, the statistical analysis (t-test) is made to determine whether the difference between two periods is statistically significant for a considered region.

Analysis and evaluation of solar energy resource change characteristics in the Wanshan Island area

The total solar radiation and insolation hours in Wanshan Island were analyzed by linear regression analysis, distance level analysis method, 5-year sliding average method, and Mann-Kendall test method. The results showed that the total solar radiation in Wanshan Island showed a slight upward trend, and the total monthly solar radiation showed a unimodal distribution, with the highest in July and the lowest in February. The number of annual sunshine hours showed a weak downward trend, and the number of monthly sunshine hours showed a double-peak distribution, with the highest in July and the lowest in March. The analysis and evaluation of solar energy resources in the Wanshan Island area show that the annual average of total solar radiation in the Wanshan Island area is 4,996.25 MJ/m2, belonging to a resource-rich area. The indicator of the stability of solar energy resources is 3.7, which belongs to the resources of more stable areas.

Osunčanost i potrošnja benzodiazepina

Introduction: Benzodiazepines belong to the group of anxiolytic sedatives and the most prescribed drugs in the world. The authors conducted this pilot study based n large number of patients reports that they were less anxious and felt better overall by migrating to sunnier environments. Aim: We estimated the impact of the total sunshine hours per month on daily exposure of the population to Benzodiazepine anxiolytic on a monthly basis in the Republic of Serbia. Material and Methods: We conducted a retrospective academic IV phase study, which tested the correlation of time series of monthly sold Benzodiazepine anxiolytics in pharmacies and total sunshine hours per month in the Republic of Serbia, from January 2014 to May 2019. Results: According to the seasons, we did not find any difference in the increase of the population exposure to benzodiazepines. A difference was found between bromazepam consumption compared to cumulative monthly. Bromazepam consumption was negatively correlated with the cumulative monthly sunshine hours. The cutoff value for bromazepam was 131.45 cumulative monthly sunshine hours. Conclusion: This is the first pharmaco-epidemiologic study to prove that the population's exposure to benzodiazepines, in addition to the implicit health and economic effects on physicians' prescribing habits for these drugs, can be independently linked to the cumulative effects of monthly sunshine hours on the population. No difference in Benzodiazepine consumption was found in relation to the seasons (spring/summer vs autumn/winter). In months where sunshine hours was ≥135.45, the need for bromazepam was significantly reduced. Seasonal variation of climatic effects of total monthly sunshine hours is significantly correlated with the population's need for benzodiazepines with anxiolytic effects longer than 12 hours.

Agro-Climatic factors required for the correct development of pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) cultivation

Objective: To compare the agro-climatic factors: soil, rainfall, sunshine duration (sun-hours) and temperature existing in the municipality of Tecomán, Colima, Mexico, to some optimum values, in order to determine the development of theMD2 pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) plantation crop.Design/Methodology/Approach: For the soil factors, texture and pH, data were obtained in laboratory to determine soil physical and reaction analyses. For temperature and rainfall, data were obtained from the Sistema Meteorológico Nacional (SMN), and to obtain the optimal values, different authors cited in the bibliography were considered.Results: the soil factor presented a sandy loam texture with a pH of 7.9. From January to June and from October to December, a monthly precipitation deficit (mm) in percentage was evidenced respect that required by pineapple cultivation; and a percentage of excess in monthly precipitation (mm), from July to September. For monthly sunshineduration, an excess between 200 and 300% of sun-hours was evidenced with respect to that required by pineapple. For minimum, maximum and average temperature, monthly variations were evidenced, but within acceptable ranges according to those determined for cultivation development.Limitations of the study/Implications: No scientific information was available regarding pineapple cultivation evaluated at the research area.Findings/Conclusions: It was determined that the evaluated pineapple plantation crop will be able to develop in theproduction area, by adjusting monthly precipitation deficit through an irrigation system and the excess of sunshineduration, through the use of a shade cloth.

Distribution of heat stroke in the Ipojuca/PE river basin, Brazil

Heat stroke is part of solar energy that spreads without the need for a material medium and is represented by the hours of the day that the solar disk remains visible on the earth's surface. The objective is to characterize the climatic conditions of insolation using the interpolation method for the area of the hydrographic basin of the Ipojuca River and its surroundings, elaborating a monthly and annual graph for the period from 1962 to 2019. The average climatological data of the total monthly and annual sunshine were generated by the simple interpolation method, using electronic spreadsheets to extract the averages values ​​of the monthly, annual, median, standard deviation, coefficient of variance, maximum and minimum absolute values. Total sunstroke is greater than the cloud coverage in the period from August to March, totaling 1861.8 hours and tenths, while in the same period, the cloud coverage is 0.45 tenths. Low cloud cover, temperature fluctuations and low or no ground cover conditions these incidences of insolation rates above normal. The importance of heat stroke is verified for purposes of applicability in the agricultural sectors, energy generations, aiming at helping industrial parks, energy distributors, agricultural sector and climatic studies that are scarce or widespread. It is observed that the deviations are positive, showing increases in the monthly and annual values, even though the straight line trends show us insignificant reductions for the period studied. The trend lines of the respective 12 months are negative and without insignificance, agreeing with the calculations of the moving averages, stating that there has been a reduction in the sunstroke in the next 9 years and, after 10 years, the insolation rates return to the level of the historical average.

Investigation of Climatological Components on Runoff Modeling using SWAT

It was planned most hydraulic projects, for instance barriers, it was defined the overflow of the rivers. If the river absences any position to measure the yield, the hydraulic models can be utilized to estimate it. SWAT is widely-used computerized mockups. It was required to feed such influential climatological information as precipitation, temperature, wind speed, solar radiation and relative humidity, in addition to, watershed information with the curve number and roughness constant to compute the watershed runoff. Watershed contain few climate positions and it was dangerous that the registered data in a position was not characterized the entire watershed. Consequently, the amount of the runoff estimation fault wants to be defined. This research considers the sensitivity of the runoff estimation for rivers, Using the SWAT prototypical, based on differences in such climatological components as precipitation, solar radiation, wind, humidity and temperature. The obtained consequences specify that with a 30.46% decline in the average monthly precipitation, sunshine, relative humidity, wind and temperature, it was set ermined 64.73% decline, 115.14% rise, 45.99% reduce, 126.58% rise and 40.15% rise in modeled runoff, individually. The wind speed and the solar radiation are the most sensitive and temperature is the least sensitive parameters in the runoff estimation.

Condições e tipos de céu para simulações de iluminação natural com céu estático

As normas brasileiras recomendam que o céu em simulações de iluminação natural seja o mais representativo do local nos solstícios de verão e inverno, mas não fornecem informações suficientes para defini-lo. Entretanto, os dados mais importantes para a definição do céu são os obtidos por equipamentos que medem radiação solar global e difusa – existente em poucas cidades no Brasil. Assim, este artigo tem como objetivo definir as condições de céu e os céus CIE característicos de capitais brasileiras por meio de um método aplicável à realidade do país. Inicialmente, foram selecionadas as capitais do Centro-Sul com disponibilidade de dados diários e mensais de horas de sol do Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia no intervalo de vinte anos (1997-2016). O método escolhido para encontrar as condições de céu foi o simplificado de Duffie e Beckman (2013) com adaptações de Ferreira e Souza (2006). Para os tipos de céu, utilizou-se etapa complementar autoral, que dividiu o percentual de cada condição de céu obtido na etapa anterior pela quantidade de céus CIE na respectiva condição de céu. Os resultados foram ratificados pela comparação com dados de nebulosidade do mesmo ínterim. Assim, a pesquisa estabeleceu uma classificação simplificada de condições e tipos de céu CIE para simulações com céu estático em programas de iluminação natural para Cuiabá, Brasília, Belo Horizonte, Vitória, São Paulo, Curitiba, Florianópolis e Porto Alegre. Ademais, apresenta-se uma metodologia para seleção dos céus característicos, passível de ser replicada para outras cidades brasileiras.

Estimation of global solar radiation, sunshine hour distribution and clearness index in Enugu, Nigeria

The concept of solar energy and its applications in this present day world would come to be one of the solutions to our present Nigerian problem of instability and epileptic power supply. In the study, the baseline data for mean monthly sunshine hours ( S ) and global solar radiation ( H ) for Enugu (6.7 0 N, 7.6 0 E) were obtained from the Nigeria Metrological Agency (NIMET), Oshodi Lagos Nigeria and spanned 1996 to 2010. The data for global solar radiation were measured with a Gunn-Bellani radiometer. The average sunshine hour for the period of study was estimated to be 5.67 hours; the Angstrom constants a and b of Angstrom-type correlation used in estimating monthly average global solar radiation was estimated to be 0.27 and 0.58 respectively; a linear regression correlation model was developed for Enugu. The result of global solar radiation was found to be 14.44 MJm -2 day -1 thereafter subjected to statistical tests [ MBE , RMSE , MPE ] and proved to be good estimates with previous literatures reviewed. The value of clearness index ( K T ) was estimated to range from 0.43 to 0.61 showing Enugu as so a partly clear sky city. Keywords: Global solar radiation, Sunshine hour distribution, Clearness Index Enugu

Estimation of Global Solar Radiation and Clearness Index in Coast of Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria

The concept of solar energy and its applications in present day would come to be one of the solutions to our Nigerian problem of instability and epileptic power supply. In this study, data for mean monthly sunshine hours and global solar radiation for Ikeja, Lagos state capital (6.580N, 3.320E) were obtained from Nigeria Metrological Agency (NiMeT), Oshodi Lagos, Nigeria and spanned 1996 to 2010. The data for global solar radiation were measured using a Gunn-Bellani radiometer. A linear regression correlation model was developed for Ikeja and other surrounding area in south-western part of Nigeria with similar meteorological conditions. The results of estimated global solar radiation ranged from 5.1 MJm-2 day-1 on average for August and 13.1 MJm-2 day-1 for March for Lagos. The Angstrom constants a and b of Angstrom-type correlation to estimate monthly average global solar radiation was estimated to be 0.25 and 0.63 respectively. The result for global solar radiation were then subjected to statistical tests [MBE, RMSE, MPE] and proved to be good estimates. The value of clearness index was also estimated to range from 0.31 to 0.59 showing Lagos as a partly clear sky city.

Sunshine duration and its variability in the main ridge of the Karkonosze Mountains in relation to with atmospheric circulation

Sunshine duration analysis was based on a series of measurements spanning the period from 1901 to 2014 for Śnieżka (1603 m a.s.l.) and from 1961 to 2000 for Szrenica (1362 m a.s.l.). The average annual sunshine duration (SD) on Śnieżka is 1423.0 h, which is among the lowest values in Poland. On average, the main ridge of the Karkonosze range receives 31% of potential sunshine duration in annual terms: from 25% in December to 36% in August and May. The changes in sunshine duration recorded on Śnieżka point to the existence of two cycles: a short one of approx. 2–4 years and a long one of approx. 60 years. The former most probably reflects the rhythm of atmospheric circulation in the North Atlantic (North Atlantic Oscillation), while the latter reflects the impact of ocean circulation associated with the AMO (Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation) mechanism. Annual SD totals for the years 1901–2014 exhibit a slight trend to an increase of approx. 2.5 h/10 years, and the rate of increase during the winter quarter is many times higher than during the other seasons. Average monthly sunshine duration differences between Śnieżka and Szrenica are positive for all months of the year with the average monthly difference being 10 to 11 h. This means that the average radiation conditions on Śnieżka are more favourable than the main ridge of the Karkonosze range, which lies at an altitude 200 to 250 m lower. Average daily sunshine durations recorded on Śnieżka are only shorter than those on Szrenica for macro-types of atmospheric circulation with advection from the south.

Study on the epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of scrub typhus in the autumn-winter natural foci, from 2006 to 2013

To investigate the spatiotemporal expansion and risk factors of scrub typhus (ST) in Shandong, Jiangsu and Anhui provinces. Based on the reported cases in Shandong and Jiangsu from 2006 to 2013, and Anhui from 2008 to 2013 epidemiological characteristics of ST and associated environmental factors were analyzed, using the panel negative binomial regression model. A total of 2 968, 2 331 and 3 447 ST cases were respectively reported in Shandong, Jiangsu and Anhui during 2006-2013, with the average annual incidence rates as 0.39, 0.38 and 0.94 per 100 000 population. Uptrend in Shandong and Jiangsu, but a slight rollback seen in Anhui were observed. Expansion of natural foci was found in the 3 provinces, with affected counties accounted for 38.0%, 48.2% and 46.5% in Shandong, Jiangsu and Anhui, respectively in 2013. Cases were clustered in autumn but with a peak of single epidemic appeared in October or November, in all the 3 provinces. More female and elderly patients were seen, than in the other age groups, in all the 3 provinces. Majority of the cases were farmers, with an increasing trend in incidence, in all these provinces, followed by housekeepers in Shandong and preschool children in Anhui. The risk factors of transmission in all the 3 provinces were negatively associated with the monthly precipitation, and showing an " inverted-U" pattern in association with monthly temperature. A positive relationship between the risk of transmission and monthly relative humidity was found in Shandong and Jiangsu provinces. However, an " inverted-U" pattern between the risk of transmission and the monthly sunshine hour, appeared in Shandong and Anhui provinces. The incidence of Scrub typhus in Shandong was also positively related to the coverage of forest. Surveillance programs and health education measures should focus on the warm and moist areas in all the 3 provinces, and also on forestry areas in Shandong. Health education and prevention on mite-bite should be targeted, especially on high-risk populations as the elderly and farmers, in the 3 provinces. Housekeepers in Shandong and children in Anhui should also be under special concern.